Loading arm

ABSTRACT

This patent discloses a loading arm in which packing in the swivel joints at the upper end of the riser pipe and at the innermost ends of the inner arms may be readily changed or serviced without disassembly of any of the swivel joints.

United States Patent 1 Ashton 1 Apr. 17, 1973 s41 LOADING ARM 3,556,148 1 1971 Bily ..137/6l5 2,501,638 3 1950 W i. ....285 122 75 Inventor: Albert A. Ashton, Dallas, Tex. 3,176,730 #1965 ,5 [73] Assignee: Youngstown Sheet and Tube Compally, Youngstown, Ohio Primary Examiner-William R. Cline Attorney.l. Vincent Martin, Joe E. Edwards, M. H. [22] Fled: 1971 Gay, Alfred l-l. Evans and Jack R. Slpringgate [21 Appl. N0.: 134,671

[57] ABSTRACT 52 11.8. c1 ..137/615 This patent isc oses a loadin arm in which packing [51] Int. Cl. .Q ...B67d 5/06 n h i l j in at the pper nd of the riser pipe [58] Field of Search ..l37/6l5; 285/122, n at th inn rmos e f the inner arms may be 285/273, 274; 141/387, 388 readily changed or serviced without disassembly of e any of the swivel joints. f 't d 1 [56] Re Cl 8 .10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,434,491 3/1969 Bily ..l37 /6l5 LF/ F {35 i l v I J? g wish I 1 20 PATENTEDAFRIYIW 3,727. 641

SHEET k 0F 4 ATTO/P/VEVJ LOADING ARM This invention relates to loading arms.

In recent years the trend in design of loading arms for transferring fluids between vessels and a shore station has been to the use of articulating rigid pipes. See the patents to Mowell U.S. Pat. No. 3,073,343 and Sorensen U.S. Pat. No. 3,085,593. These arms have become larger and larger in diameter and it has been necessary to utilize heavy lifting equipment to support the inboard and outboard arm when itis desired to change the swivel joint packing at the inner end of the inboard arm or at the upper end of the riser pipe.

Ashtons.U.S. Pat. No. 3,239,249 and Bily U.S. Pat. No. 3,434,491 have suggested methods of servicing swivel joints at the inner end of the inboard arms. Other than as disclosed in Ashtons copending application Ser. No. 880,195, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,590,870Qno previous way is known to service the swivel joint at the upper end of the riser pipe without utilizing heavy equipment to support the inner and outer arms while hole cover and flow-conducting insert to be placed in the support of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 6;

disassembling the swivel joint to replace the packing therein.

Ashtons copending application (Ser. No. 880,195)

discloses an invention which provides a loading arm in which the packing in the swivel joints on top of the riser pipe and at the inner ends of the inboard arms may be replaced without disassembling said swivel joints while the arms of the device remain held upon the riser pipe through said swivel joints and a hollow support at the top of the riser pipe. This hollow supp'ortis adapted to receive a removable flow conductor whichdirects flow between the riser pipe and the inner arms.

This invention provides a loading arm in which the packing at the swivel joint on top of the 'riser pipe and at the inner end of the inboard arm may be replaced while the arms of the device remain supported on the riser pipe through the swivel joints.

It is an object of this invention to provide a loading arm in which the hollow support which holds up the swivel joints bearing the inner arms also conducts the flow between the riser pipe and inner arms. I

Another object is to provide a loading arm in which the flow-conducting insert which guides the flow between the riser pipeand the inner arms is a rigid nontelescoping device with two ports in vertical planes to.

permit flow between the insert and the inboard arms.

Another object is to provide a loading armin which the packing for the swivel jointon the riser pipe may be changed without disturbing the swivel joint with the access to the packing provided by a manhole in the support for the inboard arm swivels.

Another object is to provide an improved support for the inboard arm of a loading arm in which packing for the riser pipe and inboard arm can be replaced through i a manhole while the inner arm is supported on the riser FIG. 8 is a vertical cross' sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 3 with the inboard arm extended upwardly;

FIG. 9is a vertical cross-sectional view of an alternate structure for holding packing at the swivel joints in sealing position and for conducting flow between the riser pipe and inner arms; and

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of another alternate structure for holding packing at the swivel joints being adapted to rotate in parallel vertical planes and to carry twin parallel inner arms 35 and 45. A Y- type swivel 80 connects the inner arms to the outer arm 85. A suitable well known counterbalance mechanism 86 is attached to the inner arms and is connected to the Y-type swivel by cables 87.

The top of the riser pipe 11 carries an end flange l2 welded thereon (FIG. 8). Flow-directing vanes 30 are fixed in the top of riser pipe 11 to smooth flow therethrough as the interior diameter of Swivel Ais substantially smaller than the riser pipe.

Swivel .A includes a first bearing race 13 nonrotatably affixed to flange 12 ina horizontal plane by suitable means such as bolts 14. Bearings 15 carry a second bearing race 16 rotatable relative to first race 13 in a horizontal plane.

A hollow, flow-conducting support S which carries the rest of the loading arm is nonrotatably mounted on bearing race 16 of swivel joint A by suitable means such as bolts 17 so that support 5 may rotate about a vertical axis. FIG. 5 illustrates support S. This support is cross-shaped and has three ports to permit flow therethrough and has a fourth port or manhole to give access into the interior of the support. These ports are located one at the outer end of each ofithe supports arms, one at its base and one at its top. Port 20 at the base of support S and port 21 at the top thereof are preferably spaced apart in parallel horizontal planes. Ports 22 and 23 at the outer ends of the arms thereof are spaced apart in parallel vertical planes. Bolt holes 24 at the end of each arm, at the base and at the top bers of the loading arm, as described herein.

Removable packing 26 seals the space between bearing race 13 of swivel A and the base of support S to prevent the escape of liquid therebetween. Packing 26 is held in sealing position by a resilient retainer 27 removably affixed to support S by suitable means such as bolts 28. The resilient retainer 27 is cylindrical in shape and one section thereof around the entire circumference is serpentine to provide a spring so that the retainer holds the packing 26 in place with appropriate force.

A swivel joint B adapted to rotate in a vertical plane and support an inboard arm is aligned with port 22 of support S in the following manner. A first bearing race 31 is mounted nonrotatably'on support S around port 22 by suitable means such as bolts 32 extending through bolt holes 24. Bearings 33 carry a second bearing race 34 rotatable relative to race 31 in a vertical plane. The inboard end of inner arm 35 is nonrotatably attached to race 34 by suitable means such as bolts (not shown) so that race 34 and inner arm 35 may rotate together about a horizontal axis.

Removable packing 36 seals the space between bearing races 31 and 34 of joint B to prevent the escape of liquid therebetween. Packing 36 is held in sealing position by a resilient retainer 37 removably affixed to support S by suitable means such as bolts 38. It can be seen by reference to FIG. 8 that the interior diameters of the retainer 37, bearing race 34 and the inboard end of inner arm 35 are the same in order to provide for smooth flow therethrough.

Similarly, swivel joint C adapted to rotate in a vertical plane is aligned with port 23 of support S in the following way. A first bearing race 41 is mounted nonrotatably on support S around port 23 by suitable means such as bolts 42 through bolt holes 24. Bearings 43 carry a second bearing race 44 rotatable relative to race 41 in a vertical plane. The inboard end of an inner arm 45 is nonrotatably attached to race 44 by suitable means such as bolts (not shown) so that races 34 and 44 and inner arms 35 and 45 may rotate together about the same horizontal axis while inner arms 35 and remain parallel.

Removable packing 46 seals the space between bearing races 41 and 44 ofjoint C to prevent the escape of liquid therebetween. Packing 46 is held in sealing position bya resilient retainer 47 removably affixed to support S by suitable means such as bolts 48. It can be seen by reference to FIG. 8 that the interior'diameters of the retainer 47, bearing race 44 and the inboard end of inner arm 45 are the same in order to promote smooth flow therethrough.

- removed to permit changing of the packing while the inner arm is supported on the riser pipe 11.

Flow between inner arms 35 and 45 and riser pipe 11 is directed in part by the insert 1. Insert 1 is cross-shaped and has three ports to permit flow therethrough. Ports 62 and 63 at the outerend of each of the insert arms register with support ports 22 and 23 respectively. Port registers with support port 20. A T-shaped vane 64 is fixed within insert I by suitable means such as welding to direct flow therein between ports 62 and 63 and port 60.

A flange 65 surrounds the top of insert 1 and is welded to plate to provide a fluid-tight connection with the top of support S by means of packing 61. Bolt holes 66 through the insert receive bolts 68 which extend into bolt holes 24 in the top of support S to fix insert l releasably thereto. Rings 69 attached to flange 65 facilitate the manipulation of insert 1.

The dimensions of insert 1 are such that when insert l is secured within support S, port 60 is aligned with port 20, port 62 with port 22, and port 63 with port 23. Further, the diameter of port 60 is approximately the same as the interior diameter of the retainer 27, the diameter of port 62 is approximately the same as the interior diameter of retainer 37, and the diameter of port 63 is approximately the same as the interior diameter of retainer 47, so that flow therethrough will be smooth. Thus, it can be seen that retainers 27, 37 and 47 serve not only to retain their respective packing in sealing position, but also act as flow guides to smooth flow between the insert ports 60, 62 and 63 and the support ports 20, 22 and 23 respectively.

Thus, in'operation, swivel joints A, B and C permit the swinging of parallel inner arms 35 and 45 in vertical and horizontal planes and packing 26, 36 and 46 prevents liquid from escaping through joints A, B and C. When said packing needs servicing or replacement, bolts 68 may be withdrawn, insert I removed from support S, bolts 28, 38 and 48 withdrawn, retainers 27, 37 and 47 removed, packing 26, 36 and 46 serviced or replaced, spacers 27, 37 and 47 replaced and secured by bolts 28, 38 and 48, and insert 1 reinserted into sup- .port S and secured by bolts 68. Throughout this operation, inner arms 35 and 45, outer arm and counterbalance 86 remain supported on riser 11 through support S and swivel joints A, B and C. No heavy lifting equipment is needed to support any part of the loading arm while packings 26, 36 and 46 are serviced.

FIG. 9 shows an alternate design for swivel joints B which can also be used for swivel joints A and C. This design contemplates using a non-resilient retainer l37 in combination with a resilient spacer R to retain packing 36 in sealing position and to smooth flow between port 62 of insert 1 and port 22 of support S.

FIG. 10 shows a second alternate design for swivel joint B which can also be used for swivel joints A and C.

This design contemplates using a non-resilient retainer 237 in combination with a bearing race 232 extended inwardly toward support S to retain packing 36 in sealing position and to smooth flow between port 62 of insert l and port 22 of support S.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and

various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A loading arm including a riser pipe,

a first swiveljoint at one end of said riser pipe having a first bearing race non-rotatably attached to said end of said riser pipe and a second bearing race rotatable relative thereto,

a hollow flow-conducting support mounted on said second bearing race for supporting the remainder of the loading arm,

said support having four ports, the first of said ports aligned with the flow-way through said first swivel joint, the second and third ports on opposite sides of said support member,

second and third swivel joints rotating about a common axis,

said second swiveljoint having a first bearing race non-rotatably attached to said support about said second port and a second bearing race rotatable relative to said first bearing race,

said third swivel joint having a first bearing race nonrotatably attached to said support about said third port and a second bearing race rotatable relative to said first bearing race,

an inner arm secured to said second bearing race of said second swivel joint, another inner arm secured to said second bearing race of said third swivel joint,

an outer arm carried by said inner arms,

removable packing forming a seal between said bearing races of each of said swivel joints, said packing being accessible from the interior of said hollow support member,

said fourth port giving access to the interior of said hollow support so that said packing can' be serviced through said fourth port while said inner and outer arms are supported on the riser pipe, and

a removable cover sealing said fourth port.

2. The loading arm of claim 1 wherein removable retainers hold said packing in sealing position,

said retainers being accessible from the interior of said hollow support.

3. The loading arm of claim 2 wherein said removable cover for said fourth port is a part of a flow-directing insert which extends downward into the interior of said hollow support when said removable cover seals said fourth port.

4. The loading arm of claim 1 wherein said removable cover for said fourth port is a part of a flow-directing insert which extends downward into the interior of said hollow support when said removable cover seals said fourth port,

5. The loading arm of claim 1 wherein removable retainers and removable spacers hold said packing in sealing position, i

said retainers and spacers being accessible from the interior of said hollow support 6. A loading arm including.

a riser pipe,

a first swivel joint at one end of said riser pipe having a first bearing race non-rotatably attached to said end of said riser pipe and a second bearing race rotatable relative thereto,

a hollow flow-conducting support mounted on said second bearing race for supporting the remainder of the loading arm,

said support having three ports, the first of said ports aligned with the flow-way through said first swivel joint, the second port on another side of said support member, I

a second swivel joint,

said second swivel joint having a first bearing race n'on-rotatably. attached to said support about said second port and a second bearing race rotatable relative to said first bearing race, an inner arm secured to said second bearing race of said second swivel joint, an inner arm carried by said inner arm, removable packing forming a seal between said bearing races of each of said swivel joints, said packing being accessible from the interior of said hollow support member,

said third port giving access to the interior of said hollow support so that said packing can be serviced through said third port while said inner and outer arms are supported on the riser pipe, and

a removable cover sealing said third port.

7. The loading arm of claim 6 wherein removable retainers hold said packing in sealing position,

said retainers being accessible from the interior of said hollow support.

8. The loading arm of claim 7 wherein said remova ble cover for said third port is a part of a flow-directing insert which extends downward into the interior of said hollow support when said removable cover seals said third port.

9. The loading arm of claim 6 wherein said removable cover for said third port is a part ofa flow-directing I 

1. A loading arm including, a riser pipe, a first swivel joint at one end of said riser pipe having a first bearing race non-rotatably attached to said end of said riser pipe and a second bearing race rotatable relative thereto, a hollow flow-conducting support mounted on said second bearing race for supporting the remainder of the loading arm, said support having four ports, the first of said ports aligned with the flow-way through said first swivel joint, the second and third ports on opposite sides of said support member, second and third swivel joints rotating about a common axis, said second swivel joint having a first bearing race nonrotatably attached to said support about said second port and a second bearing race rotatable relative to said first bearing race, said third swivel joint having a first bearing race nonrotatably attached to said support about said third port and a second bearing race rotatable relative to said first bearing race, an inner arm secured to said second bearing race of said second swivel joint, another inner arm secured to said second bearing race of said third swivel joint, an outer arm carried by said inner arms, removable packing forming a seal between said bearing races of each of said swivel joints, said packing being accessible from the interior of said hollow support member, said fourth port giving access to the interior of said hollow support so that said packing can be serviced through said fourth port while said inner and outer arms are supported on the riser pipe, and a removable cover sealing said fourth port.
 2. The loading arm of claim 1 wherein removable retainers hold said packing in sealing position, said retainers being accessible from the interior of said hollow support.
 3. The loading arm of claim 2 wherein said removable cover for said fourth port is a part of a flow-directing insert which extends downward into the interior of said hollow support when said removable cover seals said fourth port.
 4. The loading arm of claim 1 wherein said removable cOver for said fourth port is a part of a flow-directing insert which extends downward into the interior of said hollow support when said removable cover seals said fourth port.
 5. The loading arm of claim 1 wherein removable retainers and removable spacers hold said packing in sealing position, said retainers and spacers being accessible from the interior of said hollow support.
 6. A loading arm including, a riser pipe, a first swivel joint at one end of said riser pipe having a first bearing race non-rotatably attached to said end of said riser pipe and a second bearing race rotatable relative thereto, a hollow flow-conducting support mounted on said second bearing race for supporting the remainder of the loading arm, said support having three ports, the first of said ports aligned with the flow-way through said first swivel joint, the second port on another side of said support member, a second swivel joint, said second swivel joint having a first bearing race non-rotatably attached to said support about said second port and a second bearing race rotatable relative to said first bearing race, an inner arm secured to said second bearing race of said second swivel joint, an inner arm carried by said inner arm, removable packing forming a seal between said bearing races of each of said swivel joints, said packing being accessible from the interior of said hollow support member, said third port giving access to the interior of said hollow support so that said packing can be serviced through said third port while said inner and outer arms are supported on the riser pipe, and a removable cover sealing said third port.
 7. The loading arm of claim 6 wherein removable retainers hold said packing in sealing position, said retainers being accessible from the interior of said hollow support.
 8. The loading arm of claim 7 wherein said removable cover for said third port is a part of a flow-directing insert which extends downward into the interior of said hollow support when said removable cover seals said third port.
 9. The loading arm of claim 6 wherein said removable cover for said third port is a part of a flow-directing insert which extends downward into the interior of said hollow support when said removable cover seals said third port.
 10. The loading arm of claim 6 wherein removable retainers and removable spacers hold said packing in sealing position, said retainers and spacers being accessible from the interior of said hollow support. 